Sunday 1st November, saw the return of the Antonine 10k Trail Race that has been resurrected from the old ATRX by Kirkintilloch Olympians, with a new route starting and finishing in Twechar.
It was a stunning fresh morning for the event, with registration at the new Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Centre beside the Forth & Clyde Canal. The start was only a short walk away at Colliery Green.
The race started promptly at 0930hrs, with an initial short flat section out onto the Main Street, before crossing the road to go straight into the long climb up towards Barhill Fort on a rough farm track. Then it was off left, up and over the fields before hitting another farm track down to Smithstone Road, and a manned crossing. And it was back ascending up Croy Hill, with some steep sections throughout before there was a good, technical downhill section, over large boulders and rough path. Thankfully it was dry, so not quite so tricky to negotiate. A sharp right to the water station, then along a rough path, back over Smithstone Road, before a long climb up the farm track towards Twechar. Finally it was down the track, and a sharp right onto the Main Street and back to Colliery Green to finish. Around 860ft of climbing on the route, so a challenging race, even in perfect conditions.
The event was very well organised by the Olympians, with good safety measures at the road crossings (don’t listen to the marshal, then you’re disqualified). A very friendly and welcoming event, with a nice wooden coaster as a memento.
As always, there was some fantastic Bella running with Grant Murphy 41:07 2nd, Jordan Davidson 42:11 3rd, Iain Murphy 42:48 5th, Tom Ferris 54:20, Joni Lindsay 1:05:44 and Alison Brown 1:10:05 2nd FV60.
